I had avoided comments on crossbows as it can really derail a thread... but since it has already started I will explain some things about crossbows.

First not all crossbows are created equal.

You have simple wood prod crossbows (think a thicker, shorter bow compared to a self bow), composite lathe (horn, sinew and at times wood- usually squat and shorter than simple wood bow crossbows) and last steel prods which come in all sizes.

Why is the material used in the bow important? This in great part determines the upper draw weight (the weight needed to span a bow or crossbow) of the crossbow. Simple wood prods on a crossbow are typically weaker than composite bows and both weaker than steel lathes (of course I am looking at their upper limits as you can make a composite or steel bow weaker but they can be made much more powerful). This impacts the amount of bolts you can load a minute. People I know have loaded a 300-350lb. crossbow 6-8 times a minute (with a 120-130lbs longbow 14-18 arrows is not difficult in a minute). With a powerful steel bow 2, maybe 3 a minute is possible. Keep in mind this sounds slower but until the American Civil War this was what most guns could do.

There is always a trade off in the medieval period regarding crossbows power and speed. Example. The rapid fire crossbow the Chinese used was very limited in range and the draw weight was much less. With European crossbows you can get 6-8 bolts off but with a weaker bow which will likely do less damage than the vastly more powerful crossbow that is slower. Some of these crossbows could get up around 800-1000lbs. draw but would get maybe 2 bolts off a minute but if you were within 350-400 yards you’d be in trouble, my guess armour or no armour.

This is limited to the standard hand crossbow not larger two foot ones or the giant crossbows/springalds. I should warn you the old and rather silly idea two foot crossbow got their name from the need to use two feet to span is not well supported from historic sources and most academics avoid it. It seems more likely the length of the bolt (which would require a more powerful draw weight to launch the projectile) is what one and two foot are. We are lucky to have many primary sources explaining bolt lenght which confirms this theory.

My favorite medieval weapon is definitely longbow!Because i simply like it! (and maybe also because you can stand long away from all the nasty stuff picking out enemy commanderswhile letting the other guys run around striking each other down with swords and axes )

Wow that is cool. What mode is that in AOE II??? I'd love to see it and may even have a copy of AOE II around...

It seems to have been useful for them for a time.... the short duration of it may indicate it was quickly overcome by other types of weapons like the halbard, bill and the pike but either way it was an interesting development in melee warfare.